Marketing Certificate

The Marketing Certificate of Achievement requires the successful completion of 6 required courses (18 units) and 4 required elective courses (10 units) for a total of 28 units. 

Students who complete this certificate apply introductory basic theories and concepts in marketing to all of the various fields of advanced marketing, such as social media marketing sales, and advertising. The classes that make up the certificate require students to demonstrate critical thinking skills for analyzing specific real and hypothetical marketing cases. Students also prepare, research, and write strategic business and marketing plans; additionally, the classes in the certificate require students to prepare and develop team projects and professional business demonstrations.

Upon completion of this certificate, students should be able to:

- Apply introductory business theories and concepts to researching and analyzing marketing strategies and plans.

- Research and write strategic business and marketing plans.

Students completing this certificate qualify for, but are not limited to, careers in social media marketing, traditional marketing, internet-based marketing strategies, market analysis, advertising, sales, business communications, and other areas in the fields of marketing, communications, and advertising.

Enrollment Data	Year 1	Year 2
Course Dept #	Course Title	Annual Sections	Annual Enrollment Total	Annual Sections	Annual Enrollment Total
BUSN 024	International Business Management	1	15	1	15
BUSN 028	Business Law	13	455	15	480
BUSN 036	Strategic Management	2	30	2	30
BUSN 051	Introduction to Business	17	595	18	576
BUSN 061	Business, Government & Society	3	60	2	50
BUSN 062	Business Mathematics	2	40	2	20
BUSN 078	Business Communications	5	110	6	102
BUSN 006	Negotiation Principles	1	15	1	15
BUSN 040	Sales Strategy	1	20	1	15
BUSN 044	Presentaion, Powerpoint	1	15	2	20
BUSN 056	Marketing Principles	4	25	4	20
BUSN 081	Advertising Principles	1	15	1	13

Projected Certificate Completions = 12/year

The goal of the Marketing Certificate is to provide Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities in marketing and business in general. Emphasis in this certificate is on sales strategies, marketing in general, and advertising. Upon completion of this certificate a student should be able to understand and implement the basics of  a marketing strategy. This certificate provides the opportunity to acquire skills in traditional and new media marketing, business communications, and advertising.

 

Upon completing this certificate potential careers exist in, but are not limited to, social media marketing, traditional marketing, internet-based marketing strategies, market analysis, advertising, sales, business communications, and other areas in the fields of marketing, communications, and advertising. 

As part of its mission, West Valley College is committed to supporting students in reaching career goals. This certificate provides opportunities for entry level/emergent careers in the Bay Area that require marketing, sales, and advertising skills. In consultation with the Advisory Board, we examined past enrollment data to determine which of our previous Certificate programs were the most popular and useful for students. We also examined the most relevant and sought after skills for marketing professionals. Through our Advisory Board and from the business community we learned that there is a need for marketing/communications professionals who can understand how to effectively communicate value to potential consumers whether it be through social media, online, traditional print media, or radio/TV advertising. Thus, this Certificate addresses the inter-disciplinary skills required of new marketing professionals. Given the importance of marketing, sales, and advertising to all forms of businesses, we believed it was prudent to develop a certificate that develops those skill sets.

Dept. Name/#	Name	Units	Sequence
Required Core Courses (15 units)	BUSN 024	International Business Management	3	Year 1, Fall
		OR
	BUSN 036	Strategic Management	3	Year 1, Fall
	BUSN 028	Business Law	3	Year 1, Spring
	BUSN 051	Introduction to Business	3	Year 1, Spring
		OR
	BUSN 061	Business, Government, and Society	3	Year 1, Spring
	BUSN 062	Business Mathematics	3	Year 1, Spring
	BUSN 078	Business Communication	3	Year 1, Spring
Required Courses (13 units)	BUSN 006	Negotiation Principles	3	Year 1, Fall
	BUSN 040	Sales Strategy	3	Year 1, Fall
	BUSN 044	Presentation, Powerpoint	1	Year 1, Fall
	BUSN 056	Marketing Principles	3	Year 1, Fall
	BUSN 081	Advertising Principles	3	Year 1, Fall

none

Most colleges in the service area have marketing programs and certificates because the demand is significant. However, the package of courses in this program provides students the base business skills and knowledge and then enables students to build on this core knowledge into areas of more specialized skill similar to how SJSU offers their business degree programs.